Key Findings: World Vision’s Global AIDS Attitudes Survey

U.S. Statistics

Nearly one-third of Americans (30 percent) responded they know little or nothing at all about the AIDS issue.

In the United States, by region, 33 percent in the West responded this way, followed by the Northeast at 32 percent, the South at 30 percent, and the Midwest at 26 percent.

Interestingly, 26 percent in the West acknowledged they “know a lot about the global AIDS issue,” followed by all three other regions each at 25 percent.

49 percent of Americans have no personal connection with AIDS— that is, they do not know someone who has died of AIDS, have a close friend or family member who is HIV-positive, or know someone who has lost a family member or friend to AIDS.

52 percent believe in the widespread distribution of condoms; 48 percent support programs to discourage sexual promiscuity; and 46 percent support the provision of clean needles for IV drug users. By region:

On condom use, respondents in the West had the highest support at 60 percent, followed by the South at 56 percent, the Northeast at 51 percent, and the Midwest at 36 percent.

On programs to discourage sexual promiscuity, 52 percent of those in the South favored such programs, followed by the Northeast at 48 percent, the West at 46 percent, and the Midwest at 45 percent.

Regarding increased availability of clean needles, 51 percent of respondents in the West favored clean needles, followed by 48 percent in the South, 47 percent in the Northeast, and 39 percent in the Midwest.

Americans are more concerned with the AIDS pandemic than they are climate change (74 percent versus 71 percent), but both are trumped by concern for the global economy (79 percent). Americans are as concerned about the war in Iraq as they are about poverty and hunger (85 percent). By region:

Half of the Americans surveyed would be willing to pay more in taxes to help fund prevention, treatment, research, and care for AIDS patients. (Canada had the highest affirmative response to this question, at 51 percent, and Germany had the lowest at 29 percent).

Many Americans believe they individually “should play my part, however small” to help those affected by AIDS (74 percent), and 69 percent of the respondents indicated they would be willing to donate to help children impacted by AIDS.

25 percent of American respondents indicated they believe their government is “doing its part” to help ensure treatment is provided to all those affected by AIDS globally, and 14 percent noted they are frustrated, angry, and disappointed by this lack of progress.

Global Statistics

The AIDS pandemic ranks just below the Iraq war (72 percent versus 74 percent) among global concerns of people in the nations surveyed. Other greater concerns are: Poverty & Hunger (85 percent), Climate Change (81 percent), and Terrorism (79 percent). The global economy ranked last among the six issues at 69 percent.

80 percent believe their governments should help children orphaned by AIDS.

70 percent said they would be willing to donate to charitable organizations helping children around the world affected by AIDS.

More women than men are very concerned about HIV and AIDS globally (43 percent versus 31 percent).

20 percent never expected their nations’ leaders to honor their commitments made at the 2005 G-8 Summit to help those affected by AIDS. However, only 25 percent are “disappointed” their leaders did not keep their promises, and only 15 percent are “frustrated by the lack of progress” in providing help to those affected by AIDS.

HIV testing varies among the seven nations. In France, 42 percent report having had an HIV test; in Japan, 10 percent.

:: For more information, see the press release from the survey unveiling at the United Nations.World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, please visit www.worldvision.org/press.

Who Is World Vision?

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.